Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club

I bought this book thinking it would be Sonny Barger saying the Hells Angels are just a motorcycle club and nothing else but it was a seemingly very honest book. I was actually sorry it ended so soon. I am positive he could write a hundred more and I would read them all. It's very well written and has some great photos. I tried to read Hunter S. Thompson's Hells Angels book and lost interest after about 50 pages of rambling. Got this book and hope to find more from the author.

Great book! I would recommend it. I like how "realistic" it was and Sonny did not appear to embellish anything. Bottom line is this: Of course bikers fight and get in trouble with the law on occasion but Barger tells the whole story....the good with the bad! Unlike some of the other outlaw "biker" autobiographies that I have read in the past that make it seem that a biker is super-human and NEVER loses a fight or never gets arrested, Barger shows the true side of being in an outlaw motorcycle club. Loved this book so much, I just bought 2 other books by Sonny!

I liked the authenticity of his leadership. I wish the book spoke more about the money made from drugs and protection rackets.I would like to know the dollars spent by USA on the various infiltrations into the out law groups (1%ers) versus what were viewed as law enforcement gains . I’m no motorcycle club member but I enjoyed this book more than the “snitches “ “ informants and undercover police books that I have read.I’d like to read a book on the HA s last 20 years .

If you love 81 and the big Red Machine like I do, then this is REQUIRED reading! Sonny Barger is beyond a simple American Legend, he is what American Legends are made from. I can't really describe how great this book is, you just have to read it for yourself.

The microcosm birth of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club evolved in the Fontana/ San Bernardino, California area on April 1957. Ralph Robert Barger,(Sonny) who was only 19 years old, was the founder and leader of the Hell's Angels San Bernardino motorcycle club.Sonny Barger's book, "Hell's Angel" is the only authorized, genuine story about the, sometimes, but not always, controversial motorcycle club founded by the author himself.In reading, "Hell's Angel," the reader might disagree, agree and perhaps even sympathize with the story and history of the Hell's Angels' motorcycle club. More often than not different law enforcement agencies classified the Hell's Angels as a `criminal organization' for usurping the American legal system.It is up to the reader to make his or her own assessment whether those law enforcement agencies were correct in their judgment of the Hell's Angels; or if they were prejudiced in their appraisal of the motorcycle club (MC).Many believe the original Angels were members of the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division; an elite group of paratroopers trained to rain death on the enemy from above, drifting in behind the lines of battle."They called themselves the Hells Angels because they flew on silk wings into hell itself, bringing a brutal hope for peace with 20 pounds of TNT strapped to each leg. The nickname was a badge of honor, a mark of invincibility, a wartime emblem pointing out the toughest of the tough. It was a totem to ward off the worst.""A handful of those original Hells Angels, and many other returning soldiers who had awakened to the nightmare of war, found it difficult to settle into the half-sleep of the American Dream. After living on the edge so long, they found only a depressing fatalism and monotony in jobs, family, mortgages, and college, suburbia and cookie-cutter houses with white-picket fences." And so they joined the MC.According to Sonny Barger, "The Hell's Angels is an organization; a group of people, who get together to ride motorcycles and have fun, and go to parties." "... Just because certain people in the Hell's Angels have committed crimes in the past does not make the organization a criminal organization."Under Barger's guidance, the Hells Angels chapters came together, hammering out bylaws, codes of conduct, outlawing the practice of using drugs, choosing patches, colors, tattoos and clubhouses. The Hell's Angel's made sure that no one used their "Patch" who had not been accepted in the MC, or who were not worthy of their motorcycle club. The MC is a close-knit motorcycle club who not only fights to preserve the dignity of their "Patch," but take care, protect, and stand by one another to the fullest.There were other motorcycle clubs, throughout the United States, who not only rivaled the Hell's Angels but tried to outdo them as well. However, law enforcement organizations did not excoriated those motorcycle clubs as they hammered the anvil of law enforcement against the Hell's Angels.The Hell's Angel reputation crashed into the public consciousness in 1954 when Marlon Brando starred in "The Wild One," a Hollywood sensation inspired by the rumble at Hollister.All the while, the Hell's Angels boldness more than irritated all types of law enforcement. And in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the government tried to pin an official organized crime label on the group, trying to prosecute the Hells Angels under laws originally designed to combat the Mafia. The alleged violations of racketeering, influence and corrupt organization (RICO) laws, however, were never proved, with two hung juries that were unable to decide on 38 of 44 separate charges.There were many high-profile accusations, arrests and acquittals - suggesting either the Angels are slippery or that police like to arrest them despite flimsy evidence. Many believe the truth lies between both theories.George Christie, longtime president of the Ventura, Calif., chapter, who is considered Barger's second-in-command and likely successor; admits the Hell's Angels are "not monks." Nevertheless, he insists that if they were as bad as police allege, they would've been jailed and disbanded years ago." George Christi adds, "...cops chase Angels because Angels are easy to chase. Finding real criminals is much tougher, and would require investigative initiative beyond pulling over every biker wearing the infamous winged death's-head."For their part, the Angels continue to deny all criminal charges, and in 1998 happily celebrated their 50th anniversary.The Angels have grown, in the past 50 years, to include many chapters in the United States, a presence in many countries and a worldwide membership estimated in the thousands.I recommend, to the interested reader, Sonny Barger's book, "Hell's Angel" before reading any other books, or magazine articles on the subject of the famous motorcycle club; The Hell's Angels.

I started reading this book 4 days ago. I had to force myself to put it down to get some sleep. This book opened my eyes to the club. I knew the club was started by Veterens that wanted the brotherhood as well as buddies to ride with but, the club is much more. The one thing this book really did was make me want to ride my bike that much more. To ride with a group of guys with the same outlook on life as I have would be great. To all who should read this, don't believe everything the media has said about the HAMC over the years. Sonny lays it out, to the best of his knowledge everything that happened from the early days to the present (well when the book was writen). I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Reading this book was like being at a bar with the one-and-only Sonny Barger whilst he just talked to you. Hats off to the “ghost” writers for not interfering in the flow and content. Amazing glimpse into an incredible personality.

Here he is, the guy on Sons of Anarchy. After reading this book, which allows us into the lives and history of the Hell's Angels, specifically the Oakland Hell's Angles, I know three things: First, Sonny is one lucky SOB to have lived this long. Second, he packed more into his life than most can imagine. Third, though I would love to feel as if I belonged to anyone and to a brotherhood of devoted companions - I would not want to be a Hell's Angel. Life has taught me that I don't want to spend that much time in jail and I don't see myself as lucky as Sonny. This guy is the real deal. What you get in his book (the sole authorized book of the Hell's Angels) is an honest historical account of one of the most - if not THE - most significant groups in history. No bragging, no stretching the truth that I can see; you'll get a taste of not only what it was like but also why. Some photos; I wish there were more. I also learned more about the Rolling Stones concert where the Angels performed security. Through Sonny's words I now believe I know more of what really happened. Get it.

Good Read.Sonny spends his days whoring, fightin', partyin', and dealing drugs. A life he very much enjoys.I was surprised that the Angels were allowed to get away with full-on fistfighting the cops on regular basis though. They must have some very lax laws in the Calif / US. Where I live (not the US), if you assault a cop your going down for a few years. No ifs or buts. Repeat it and you can throw away the key. Nobody dares to hit a cop because the consequences are too severe. Saying that; Sonny does say that the cops enjoy rucking with the Angels, (taking their badges of before getting stuck in), so no harm done and everyone's happy.Informative book even though I'm not a biker.

I have always been drawn towards the mystique of the HA, what stands them apart from other riders.Sonny Barger tells a warts & all story of his life as one of the defining original members of the most infamous MC's in the World.

V American - assumes an understanding of American geography and culture which UK person might not have (incl me) - bought it purely for interest value - unheard of opportunity to learn about a culture which is alien to me. Not particularly well written sometimes, talks a lot of technical stuff about motorbikes which I can't understand - would probably not recommend it as a purchase yet interesting for those like me with enquiring mind....glad I've read it anyway.....Squirrel 59 - Tues 27.5.14

it was ok, the last half of the book was better. I couldnt help thinking the first part of the book was 'and then we did...' and then we did...and then ...and just seemed the life of an angry young man who was a little hypocritical. The last part of the book was much better written and more interesting with a more balanced outlook on life. i much preferred some of the other books on bike clubs written by other authors. The undercover cops books seem to be a little more honest

a warts n all account of the life of sonny barger.his mother walked out on the family,his father was a drunk. he and his sister had atough upbringing.he joined the army underage got found out and kicked out. thn he discovered the biker lifestyle. he's been involved with the hamc from their early days, been to jail,fought with other outlaw bikers and had cancer.he's seen the hamc grow into a global biker club. all in all he's led a full and some times exciting life. a brilliant read!!!!!